The design for the Palava Clubhouse draws on the grand tradition of the colonial clubs of Bombay. With clubs like the CCI, Bombay Gymkhana and the Willingdon, sports was always at the center of the social lives of its members. The design of the Clubs hence reflected this orientation. Deep and long verandahs would form the clear edge of a large open ground, typically a well-tended lawn for sports like cricket, rugby and golf. Populated with café and lounge furniture, the social and sporting lives of members would unfold within these naturally ventilated verandahs as they watched and participated in these sports. A climate responsive architecture is seen in these buildings with high ceilings and naturally ventilated volumes. The design of Palava clubhouse draws on these essential but typical characteristics of the colonial model. The clubhouse is placed along the main road at the northern edge of a large 16 acre parcel of land abutting the largest green corridor that runs through phase 2 of the palava masterplan. To the south of the clubhouse lies a 800m running track with a football fi eld planned at its center. A single storey building, the orthogonal form of the clubhouse is interjected by a sweeping curve on its southern edge which refl ects and responds to the curve of the track. This curved edge defines the profile of a deep-set verandah space which stretches along the entire southern edge of the clubhouse re-imagining the historic relationship between sports and the verandah for the spectator.A series of parallel vaults are placed along an eastwest axis which form the roof of the club. The varying widths of the vaults create expansive volumes of varying sizes, reflecting the program below. Alternating rhythms of enclosed and open volumes are visible in the building massing. The enclosed volumes hold the part hall on west end, the gymnasium in the middle and a creche, a theater and multi-sports room on the east end. The open volumes placed in between define the public areas like lounges, a café and a library. The verandahs and the open terrace in front are populated with outdoor furniture from where members could enjoy the outdoors and sporting events beyond.Exposed brick walls, stone dust plasters and terrazzo floors speak of a palate of natural and hand made materials which contextualize this elegant building to the original farmlands that surrounded this site.